Protecting people and ecosystems through science-based environmental decisions.As a Pesticides Specialist, your expertise helps safeguard Ontario's air, land, and water by supporting responsible pesticide use. Your work contributes to healthy communities and public trust in decisions affecting ecosystems across the province. Bring your valuable expertise to our team!
About the job
In this role, you will:
• Provide scientific expertise to guide the safe and responsible use of pesticides, helping protect Ontario's people, communities, and natural environment.
• Apply environmental legislation, regulations, and policy to support sound decisions, compliance, and environmental protection.
• Analyze complex environmental and health data from investigations, incidents, and proposals to assess risks and impacts.
• Offer clear, evidence-based advice and guidance to colleagues, partners, and decision-makers on pesticides-related issues.
• Communicate findings and recommendations through reports, briefings, and outreach that support transparency and informed decision-making.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• You must have a post-secondary degree from an accredited university with specialization in a discipline such as agriculture or biological sciences, with suitable course options such as chemistry, entomology, toxicology and/or soils science, or equivalent experience.
• The position requires the successful candidate to have a valid G license or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that s/he has a valid driver's license upon being hired.
Scientific and Technical Expertise:
• Advanced knowledge of pesticide chemistry, toxicology, and environmental fate to assess impacts on human health and ecosystems.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex scientific data from field investigations to support defensible conclusions.
Legislative and Regulatory Interpretation and Application:
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply pesticide-related legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Ability to assess compliance and regulatory risk and provide sound, evidence-based recommendations.
Analytical Judgment and Problem-Solving Skills:
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex, incomplete, or conflicting information and determine appropriate scientific or regulatory responses.
• Sound professional judgment in balancing environmental, health, legal, and policy considerations.
Communication and Advisory Skills:
• Ability to communicate complex scientific and regulatory information clearly in written and verbal formats.
• Skill in providing credible, objective advice to diverse audiences, including decision-makers and external stakeholders.
Interpersonal Skills and Professional Influence:
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and manage differing perspectives in sensitive or contentious situations.
• Demonstrated professionalism and credibility as a subject-matter expert.
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: